September 2008
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE
Home School News and Events
Dear Home School Leaders and Friends,
We are excited to share with you some information about several events that may be of interest to home schoolers in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region. Please feel free to pass along this newsletter to the homeschooling families in your network.
If you would like for us to help you spread the news about an event or activity that your group is doing, or if you know of an event or activity that would benefit other home schoolers, please drop us a line at info@HEARTofTex.org so we can include it in the next issue of our bi-weekly e-newsletter.
We also have a “featured articles” section. We hope that you will find the articles that we will include to be informative, encouraging, and full of wisdom. If you or anyone in your group would like to submit articles, or have suggestions for future article topics, please contact us at info@heartoftex.org.
We would love to hear from you!
www.HEARTofTex.org
Our deadlines are as follows:
the 12th of the month, for the mid-month issue;
the 27th of the month for the issue that goes out at the beginning of the following month.
Thanks so much!
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Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling support groups, leaders and families in our regional service area. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, resources and support within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups, leaders, and families in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region.
This information is provided as a service to our fellow home schoolers. HEART of Texas does not necessarily endorse, warrant, or represent any of the activities, events, or organizations listed, or their content, views, opinions, or recommendations. Please use your own judgment when considering taking part in or attending any of these events or activities or visiting any of the websites or links provided. HEART of Texas assumes no responsibility for the content of any ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered.
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~Highlights ~
SEPTEMBER 6
CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL ALLIANCE
2008 KICKOFF EVENT
Time: 6:45pm
Location: High Pointe Baptist Church
101 High Pointe Lane
Cedar Hill, TX
RSVP: Leslie Thomas at 972-709-5949
Details: We'll be serving Barbecue for $5/person with a maximum cost of $10/family.
Please also bring a Pot Luck item to share.
There will be tables with items of interest such as sign-up sheets for activities, free bags of goodies for homeschool families, and information on some of our programs.
After the dinner, we will have our Fall Business Meeting.
During the Business Meeting ONLY, child care will be available at a nominal cost.
Children must be with their parents or in childcare at all times.
For More Information: Cathy Turner at 972-709-9097 (afternoons and evenings only) or info@c-h-a-t.org
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SEPTEMBER 8
FOSSIL DIG CLASS & TOUR
AT FOSSIL RIM
Time: 10:00-2:30ish.
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: In the morning, take a bus down to our Fossil Pit and dig for marine fossils! Share a picnic lunch at the Overlook, then take a guided tour of Fossil Rim’s current, non-marine residents!!!
SEPTEMBER 22 -- Conservation in Action Day
Time: 9:00-2:30ish.
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: Learn about different ways you can Conserve natural resources; participate in an on-guided tour of Fossil Rim.
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
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SEPTEMBER 8
REGISTRATION DEADLINE PRACTICE PSAT/SAT
SPONSORED BY FLOWER MOUND HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA BAND BOOSTER
Test Held: Saturday, September 13
Time: Practice SAT 9:00am-1:15pm
Practice PSAT 9:00am-11:30am
Location: Flower Mound High School Cafeteria
Enter at Cafeteria Entrance on Old Settlers Rd.
Strategy Session: September 23 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Detailed score reports will be handed back
Cost: SAT $15; PSAT $10 (non-refundable and due by September 8)
Walk-ins accepted on space-available basis
To Register: Download registration form here
For More Information: Click here to send an email
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SEPTEMBER 8 & 15
THESA RIDERS GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: East Meadows Baptist Church
2000 Morrison Drive
Fort Worth
For More Information: Alan at 817-798-3315 or burtball25@sbcglobal.net or www.thesaridersbball.com
THESA Riders is a home school sports association, providing the DFW area with competitive and Christ-centered athletic programs for home schoolers at the high school and junior high level.
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SEPTEMBER 9
HOME SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM/CORPUS CHRISTI
Time: 10a.m. - 1pm
Location: Texas State Aquarium
2710 North Shoreline
Corpus Christi
For More Information: Brianne Secorsky 361-881-1307
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SEPTEMBER 12
REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR CHAT
ENRICHMENT DAYS/EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Details: Enrichment Days is a fun, exciting, and educational learning group that meets six times in the fall and six times in the spring at a local church in the SW Dallas/Cedar Hill/DeSoto/Duncanville area.
All classes are taught by homeschooling moms just like you!
Each child in Kindergarten through 12th grade signs up for three classes.
Preschoolers have age-appropriate activities and nursery is provided.
Registration: $3/child (including nursery) plus nominal supply fees to cover materials.
Classes Begin: Friday, September 26, 2008
9:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Final class date is December 5, 2008
To view a sample of the type of classes we've had in past semesters: Visit www.c-h-a-t.org
Click on "Enrichment Days" in the left column.
For our meeting location or for more information: Enrichmentdays@c-h-a-t.org
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SEPTEMBER 13
LIVE BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT OPENS
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS
Live Butterfly Exhibit: "Skies of Butterflies"
Exhibit Entrance Fee: $3.00 per person plus all applicable State Fair/Garden entrance fees
Details: See eye to eye with a butterfly during the Skies of Butterflies exhibit at Texas Discovery Gardens. This seasonal butterfly house contains 200+ colorful native Texas butterflies like Giant Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails, Monarchs, Sulphurs, Question Marks, and more.
As you walk through the 30’ by 48’ free standing flight cage, closely observe butterflies as they feed on nectar from the blossoms of both native and tropical plants. Learn which species enjoys rotting fruit! Find out when butterflies roost (go to sleep). Be captivated by fast and furious flyers! An emergence box filled with uniquely camouflaged and vibrantly colored chrysalis will reveal the last mysterious step in the life stages of the butterfly.
Afterwards, visit the Butterfly Display Garden and learn how you can attract these fascinating creatures to your yard by using the right plants. We will have monarch tagging presentations each day.
For more info: 214.428.7476 ext. 23.
Location: 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fair Park.
Fair Park istwo miles east of downtown Dallas just south of Interstate 30.
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SEPTEMBER 24
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
HOMESCHOOL DAY AT THE FORT WORTH ZOO
Home-schooled children and their families are invited to a fun-filled educational day at the Fort Worth Zoo!
OCTOBER 2 -- Home School Day at the Fort Worth Zoo!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 24
To pre-order lunches and participate in the live animal program.
Time: 10am - 4pm
Admission: $3.75/Pre-K through 5th grade
$5.25/6th grade through High School
$5.50/adults
Free/children 2 and under
No refunds, rain checks, reimbursements, or exchanges. Event is held rain or shine.
Lunches: $4 (must be pre-registered online by Sept 24)
Pre-ordered lunch pick-up will be located in the Bluebonnet Cafe in Texas Wild!.
If you are purchasing for a group, you will receive only one ticket with your group number for your entire group. Participants must have a ticket to receive lunches. Lunch pick-up times available on the online registration form.
Live Animal Program: $2 (must be pre-registered online by Sept 24)
The Wild Wonders Live Animal Program will be presented inside the Zoo at Picnic Outpost for easy access during the event. One ticket with total number of participants is issued for each group. Children 2 and under do not need to purchase a ticket. Program times are available on the online registration form.
To Register Online: Click Here
No phone registrations. You must register online only.
If you register on-site on the day of the event only discounted admission tickets will be available. Lunch and Wild Wonders Live Animal Program tickets are only available by pre-registering.
Early Ticket Pick-Up: Pre-registered tickets may be picked up at the Guest Relations office at the front entrance of the Zoo, from September 26 through September 28 during normal Zoo operating hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Pre-registered tickets not picked up during the early pick up period will be available at
Will Call starting at 9:30 a.m. on October 2.
Questions: Fort Worth Zoo Education Department 817-759-7200.
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SEPTEMBER 25
EDUCATOR EVENING/OPEN HOUSE
FORT WORTH CULTURAL DISTRICT
This open house is intended for adults only
Time: 4-7 pm
Location: Amon Carter Museum
Kimbell Art Museum
Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
No reservations necessary
Details: Representatives from 13 participating institutions will be spread out at these different locations. Although activities will vary according the focus of each institution, teachers may:
- Receive free resources for the classroom
- View current exhibitions and preview upcoming exhibitions
- Learn about programs for students and teachers
- Network with colleagues over light refreshments
- Explore ideas for using primary resources to support TEKS
Educators are welcome to visit all institutions or may elect to visit only with the institutions that connect with their areas of interest.
For More Information: 817-332-8451
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SEPTEMBER 26
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
LONE STAR HISTORY DAY: PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
SPECIAL DAY FOR HOMESCHOOLERS AT DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE
OCTOBER 3 – Lone Star History Day: Presidential Campaigns
(Special Day for Homeschoolers and their Family)
Registration Deadline: September 26
Time: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Non-members: $5/child; free/1st adult
Details: Explore the political process through two of the United States’ most exciting and influential elections in 1860 and 1900. What did Texans think of the candidates, what issues were most important, and how far would someone go to vote? Brush up on your presidential trivia for a quiz bowl in Renner School. (suggested resources and Presidents to study will be included in the resource packet.)
Who would you support in 1860 or 1900? Make your own campaign button to declare your loyalty.
Visit the new Brent Place Learning Lounge to explore issues and candidates of the past in detail.
To Register:
By Mail:Print out the registration form at www.DallasHeritageVillage.org and mail it in with your payment.
Online: Pay with a credit card online. But please fax or mail the registration form to us
By Phone: Call 214-413-3674 between 8:00 a.m. and Noon, Monday-Friday.
By Fax: Fax the form with credit card information to 214-428-6351
Family Registration Form: Use this form if your family is registering on your own, or if your group is planning to arrive separately.
Group Registration Form: Use this form if you’re part of a homeschool group or co-op and plan to arrive together or in no more than 3 smaller groups. This will streamline the check-in process, so you can get started on your day as soon as possible.
For More Information: https://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/Event_Detail.aspx?EID=233
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SEPTEMBER 26
CREATIVE ARTS IN ACTION PRESENTS:
2008 BROADWAY REVIEW
SEPTEMBER 26 --- 2008 Broadway Review
Time: 7:30 p.m.
This will be a guaranteed evening of great entertainment featuring solos and group numbers from popular Broadway Shows!
Tickets: $10
Location:
Creative Arts in Action
5733 Watauga Road
Watauga TX 76148
817-281-2293
(Between 377 and Rufe Snow in Northeast Fort Worth, Texas)
For Audition Information: Click Here
For More Information: 817-281-2293
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SEPTEMBER
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR
HOME SCHOOL PE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT VELOCITY SPORTS
(Discount for HEART of Texas members)
REGISTER TODAY FOR FALL 2009
We are very excited to announce that the Velocity Sports Performance locations in Highland Park and Southlake have partnered with HEART of Texas to offer special discounts to homeschoolers!
The PE programs at Velocity Sports are taught by trained, degreed coaches who have coached college, professional, and Olympic level athletes.
Classes are one hour long, and focus on speed enhancement, strength, power, agility, core development, flexibility, and balance. Participants can expect increased muscle tone, a higher vertical jump, better running form, reduced likelihood of injury, increased confidence and increased endurance.
Their 16,300 square foot indoor facility is climate-controlled and features turf, track, hard court, and weight areas, as well as a viewing area for parents/guests.
For the Highland Park Location:
Call Mark Cox at 214-739-1122
www.velocitysp.com/highlandpark
For the Southlake Location:
Call Emily Hubbard at 817-416-0606
www.velocitysp.com/southlake
Please Note: Each Velocity Sports location is independently owned and operated, and offer different pricing and discount rates for their classes. Please contact the location directly for more information.
Discount: HEART of Texas Members receive a discount on classes!
See http://www.heartoftex.org/partners/partners.html for more details.
To learn more about HEART of Texas membership: http://www.heartoftex.org/membership/membership.html
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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
Good Citizenship Opportunities – by Tim Lambert, THSC
What Do You Fear?– by Amanda Mulder (Home School Student)
NEST Family Learning Offering Discount and Free Shipping to Our Readers
Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Scholarship Opportunity– by Lt. Col. Randy Penson,Baylor AFROTC
Special Ticket Pricing for Homeschoolers: The Nutcracker at Bass Hall
Texas Ballet Theater Offering Special Ticket Pricing for Homeschoolers!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
1. Library Programs at North Texas Libraries -- North Texas
Other Libraries are Welcome to Include Their Events – contact info@heartoftex.org
Bedford Public Library
Fort Worth Public Library
Hurst Public Library
McKinney Memorial Public Library
Tyler Public Library
READING REWARD PROGRAMS
2. Book It! Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
3. Braums Book Buddy Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
CONTESTS/COMPETITIVE EVENTS
4. BEST Robotics 2008 Preview: Just Plane Crazy! -- Texas Best
5. Texas State Fish-Art Contests -- Entries Due March 31, 2009
6. National Engineers Week -- Future City Competition
7. USA Mathematical Talent Search -- Deadline October 14, 2008
CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
8. City of Fort Worth Youth Advisory Board -- Fort Worth
9. City of North Richland Hills Teen Court -- North Richland Hills
10. Texas Home School Coalition Good Citizenship Award Program -- State-wide
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
11. Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Graduating Seniors
12. National Congressional Art Competition -- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30
HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
13. THEO Home School Classes -- Plano
14. Christian Cottage Prep -- Fort Worth
15. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
16. Cooke County Cotillion for Home Schooled Teens -- Gainesville
17. Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga
18. Eastfield College --- Mesquite
19. Faith Christian Academy -- McKinney
20. Fabulous Fridays -- Little Elm
21. Home Educators Resource -- Lewisville
22. Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes -- East Dallas
23. Homeschool Heritage Domus Schola -- Keller
24. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist Euless -- Euless
25. Homeschool Theater Classes at PFAmily Arts --- Plano
26. Tarrant County College -- High School Math Classes
27. Venture Home School Classes -- Colleyville
28. YMCA/Irving Home School Classes -- Irving
BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
29. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas
Dallas – September 6
The Colony – September 6
Wichita Falls – September 6
Sanger – September 13
Arlington – September 17-21 (Big Sale)
Ennis – September 18-20
Wylie – September 20
30. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
31. Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
32. Home Educators Resource -- Lewisville
NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
33. Dallas Arboretum – Dallas
34. Day Camps at Camp Tonkawa
Attn: Boy Scout Troops
35. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs
36. Fossil Rim
Fossil Dig Class & Tour -- September 8
37. Heard Museum Homeschool Classes – McKinney
38. Heritage Farmstead Museum -- Plano
39. Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch -- Pilot Point
40. Texas Discovery Gardens -- Dallas
41. Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs -- State Parks in North Texas
PERFORMING ARTS
42. Performances at Casa Manana Children’s Playhouse --Fort Worth
Sleeping Beauty -- September 26 - October 12
43. Performances at CATS -- Arlington
Cinderella – October 3-12
44. Cottage Theater – Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
Broadway Review – September 26
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – November 21-24
The Sound of Music – February 27 - March 2 (2009)
45. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater -- Hurst
Peter Pan – August 15 - September 13
Beauty and the Beach (Children's Peformance) - August 16 - Sept 13
46. Performances at Bass Performance Hall -- Fort Worth
47. Dallas Children’s Theater -- Dallas
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse - September 19 - October 26
48. Plano Children’s Theater -- Plano
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - September 6-21
49. Texas Ballet Theater Performances -- Special Homeschool Pricing -- Dallas/Fort Worth
Majestic Ballet Gala - September 12 (Majestic Theater)
Mozart's Requiem - October 18 (Bass Hall)
The Nutcracker - December 12 (Bass Hall)
Swan Lake - February 14 (Majestic Theater)
Swan Lake - February 21 (Bass Hall)
Cleopatra - March 28 (Bass Hall)
50. Home School Discount Tickets to Dallas Theater Performances
ART MUSEUMSCh
51. Amon Carter Museum Exhibits – Fort Worth
52. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibits -- Dallas
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs - Opens Oct 3
53. Kimball Art Museum Exhibit -- Fort Worth
The Impressionists - Through November 2
54. Museum of Nature & Science -- Dallas
Your Incredible Body -- Opens September 20
55. Museum of Science & History -- Fort Worth
56. Nasher Sculpture Center -- Dallas
IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
57. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature
58. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater -- Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History
HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
59. Programs at Log Cabin Village -- Fort Worth
60. Dallas Heritage Village -- Dallas
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
61. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
62. Homeschool Swim -- The Colony Aquatic Park
63. Christian Martial Arts -- Bedford
64. Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization -- Registration Open
65. Elite Track Club/Cross Country Program for Home Schoolers
66. Home School Athletic Association
67. THESA Riders Home School Sports Association
68. Hulcy Home School PE Classes -- Richardson
69. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Highland Park
70. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Southlake
71. Home School Fencing Classes -- Fencing Institute of Texas -- Farmers Branch
72. Pop-In Playtime -- Pump It Up of Grapevine -- Grapevine
73. Tae Kwondo for Home Schoolers -- Plano
SUPPORT GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
74. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas
75. Arlington Association Home Educators (AAHE) -- Arlington
76. How Now Homeschooling -- Plano/Frisco/Allen/McKinney area
77. Keller 4H Club Meetings -- Keller
78. North Irving Christian Home Educators -- Irving
79. Park Day Drama Club -- Plano
80. Ready to Answer Speech and Debate -- Decatur
81. SALT Co-Op -- DeSoto
COLLEGE PREP
82. SAT Test Dates
83. SAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk -- Across North Texas
Grapevine - October 3 & 4
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
84. Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Scholarship -- Deadline December 1, 2008
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
85. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties -- American Cancer Society
86. Learn to Laugh in Another Language: Be a Host Family for a Foreign-Exchange Student -- INTO EdVENTURES
87. Homeschool Volunteers Needed to Deliver Hot Meals -- Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County
88. Volunteers Needed to Serve Meals at The Stewpot -- Dallas -- The Stewpot
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
89. Great Opportunities for Students at Pump It Up of Grapevine
90. Classical Art Classes -- Keller
91. Tutoring/Group Lessons Available in Various Subject Areas
92. Private Piano and Flute Lessons -- Northeast Dallas
93. Younger Generation Chorus of Plano Auditions -- Plano -- August 23 & 26
94. Registration Open for Homeschool Choir & Band Classes -- www.singandplay.com
95. THESA Riders Girls Basketball Tryouts -- Fort Worth -- Sept 18 & 15
96. Irving Homeschooler's 2nd Annual Homeschool Fair -- Irving -- Sept 27
97. Kids and Critters at State Fair of Texas -- Dallas County Only -- Sept 30-Oct 17
98. Homeschool Day at the Fort Worth Zoo -- Fort Worth -- October 2
99. Heritage Farmstead Museum Presents: Annual Harvest Festival and Craft Fair -- Plano -- Oct 5
100. WILD Homeschool Day at Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch -- Pilot Point -- October 14
101. Science Teachers Day (American Physical Society) -- Dallas -- November 18
102. Plasma Sciences Expo for Middle & High School Students & Teachers -- Dallas -- November 20-21
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Good Citizenship Opportunities for Homeschoolers
– by Tim Lambert, THSC
Labor Day has passed schools are now in session and the political season is in full swing. Home schoolers have the state requirement to teach “Good Citizenship,” (Click Here for details on this requirement) as do all schools in Texas and the Texas Home School Coalition has developed a Good Citizenship Program to help them do so. As you may or may not know, teaching good citizenship has been defined by the courts as teaching civics or government and we believe the best way to do that is with a “hands-on” approach.
For home schoolers this is not only a great way to teach our children about government in a way that they will remember forever, it is also a way to be pro-active in working to keep our freedom to home school. Many home schoolers asked if we in Texas should be concerned about the actions of the Court of Appeals in California who ruled that home schooling was not legal unless a parent was a certified teacher. While the court eventually reversed its ruling, that situation was a reminder that our freedoms are never completely secure.
In Texas, we have our own Supreme Court ruling in the Leeper v. Arlington ISD case that clearly ruled that home schools in Texas are private schools. However, the courts have consistently ruled that the state has the authority to regulate private schools and while I disagree with that it is nevertheless the law of the land which means that every time the legislature is in session our home school freedoms are at risk.
I hope you will kick off your school year by teaching your children about “Good Citizenship” and registering like-minded people to vote before the October 4th deadline and working for candidates who support home school freedom and have been endorsed by the THSC Political Action Committee (PAC). You can find a current list of those candidates here:www.thscpac.org/thscpac/endorsements.htm
Have a great fall and a wonderful home school year!
Tim Lambert is the president of the Texas Home School Coalition.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
What Do You Fear?
– by Amanda Mulder (Home School Student)
What are you most afraid of? Death, bugs, snakes? Do you know what the number one fear of most people actually is?
Public Speaking.
Yes, it’s true! In fact, the fear of public speaking ranked first, followed by death. Using logic, it would mean that at a funeral most people would rather be in the coffin than the one giving the eulogy.
Now, if you thought that statistic was amazing, consider this one: only 5% of people are ready to command a platform. Meaning that there is 95% who are not ready and able to speak for what they believe in and are passionate about! I myself was in that 95% number. Being extremely shy and self-conscious, I was intrigued by the idea of public speaking and being able to communicate in a clear, concise way in limited amount of time. But I didn’t exert myself and frequently let others do the talking. I didn’t analyze what I read, said, or did, and I certainly didn’t speak out against things that I didn’t believe were true.
Then something happened. I attended a Communicators for Christ (CFC) speech and debate conference. I learned the basic communication skills and then they equipped my family to get together in clubs and chapters to perfect the skills. They have helped me to take my skills into my local community to make an impact. This has been revolutionary for me! CFC has helped me to realize that my skills are not just to help me be a better student and communicator, but they are tools to help me become an effective communicator for our Christ. I so appreciate their vision and purpose!
I would like to encourage you to sign-up today for the Communicator for Christ October DFW event! To learn the life skill of effective communication in a fun way goes beyond words! You won’t be disappointed (except when you have to leave).
CFC has changed my family’s life, and they can help to do the same for yours! Hurry you won’t want to miss the early bird rate (September 17 deadline for early bird rate). Visit their website at www.communicatorsforchrist.com. If you have any questions you can contact the local Texas Coordinator at Texas-CFC@sbcglobal.net.
Look forward to seeing you there!
OCTOBER 8 - 11 -- Communicators for Christ Conference
Sign up by September 17 to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing!
Location: First Baptist Church – Frisco
7901 W. Main Street
Frisco, TX 75034
To Register: www.communicatorsforchrist.com
October 8-9: Debate Conference (2 days)
Ages: 12-18
$125 early bird (through September 17)
$135 standard
October 10-11: Speech Conference (2 days)
Ages: 12-18
$125 early bird (through September 17)
$135 standard
October 10: Beginning Public Speaking (BPS) Conference (1 day)
Ages: 7-11
$45 early bird (through September 17)
$50 standard
October 10: Beginning Public Speaking PLUS (BPS Plus) Conference (1 day)
BPS Plus is for those younger students who have attended previous CFC conferences)
Ages: 9-11
$45 early bird (through September 17)
$50 standard
Combo Package
October 8-11: Speech & Debate (4 days)
Ages: 12-18
$210 early bird (through September 17)
$250 standard
Amanda Mulder is a local homeschooler from Frisco, TX.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
NEST Family Learning Offering Discount and Free Shipping to Our Readers,
PLUS a Chance to Win $100 Gift Certificate
NEST Family Learning has partnered with HEART of Texas to offer a special discount to readers of our newsletter!
For a limited time, you can enjoy an additional 15% discount on materials plus FREE shipping on orders of $49 or more.
In addition, with any order you are automatically entered to win a $100 gift certificate that can be applied toward anything in their store: curriculum, videos, or even their selection of arts and crafts supplies.
Simply visit
http://www.nestlearning.com/c-5-homeschool.aspx?s_cid=heart to start shopping and begin enjoying your savings today! Use coupon code "HEART" when placing your order.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Baylor & Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Scholarship Opportunity
– by Lt. Col. Randy Penson/Baylor AFROTC
Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) have teamed up to provide an enormous scholarship opportunity to afford a Christian college education while pursuing their dream in a career in aviation, medicine, science, engineering, law, space, business, etc. A scholarship deadline is on the horizon (December 1, 2008) and I want to ensure you don’t miss it. Everything I want to inform you about is attached in the Baylor AFROTC fact sheet and available at www.baylor.edu, but I’d like to highlight a few important points:
• We appreciate the homeschooled student and know first-hand the talent and intellect they offer. Our Cadet Wing Commander last Fall was homeschooled and she was outstanding!
• Who do we want to help? Your students interested in leadership who are about to graduate, applying to a service academy (Baylor would be a great Plan B), excels academically, involved in Eta Sigma Alpha or other honor societies and service organizations, as well as competitors of all kinds.
• The application deadline for AFROTC high school scholarships is December 1, 2008. Just have them go to www.afrotc.com and fill out the on-line application.
• AFROTC’s best scholarship (Type 1) pays full tuition and fees (~$25,000/year at Baylor) and the second best (Type 2) pays $15,000/year. The majority of our cadets are on these two types of scholarships.
• Baylor is very generous with their merit scholarships which range from $3,000 - $14,000/year. Have your student go to www.baylor.edu/admissions/calculator and input their ACT/SAT scores and class ranking into the Scholarship Calculator to see what they could be offered. I think both of you will be amazed.
• If your student receives an AFROTC high school scholarship and brings it to Baylor, they will receive the Baylor AFROTC Incentive Scholarship worth $3,000/year. They get this just by simply bringing the AFROTC scholarship to Baylor!
• Students on scholarship also receive $900/year for books and a monthly, tax-free stipend of $300-$500. They can use this stipend however they like (cheeseburgers and coffee??).
• A student with a high school scholarship can try AFROTC their freshman year, and if they decide not to continue, they can simply walk away without having to pay back their scholarship. No kidding!
• If your student does not receive a high school scholarship, there’s an even greater opportunity to receive an AFROTC scholarship once they are at Baylor. AFROTC has a $60 million scholarship budget to award scholarships from and as of the end of the Spring 2008 semester, 86% of Baylor cadets were on scholarship.
• Baylor AFROTC is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year (the Air Force is 61 years old) and for the first time in our history, we are opening an AFROTC Living & Learning Center where cadets have the option to live among themselves. Visit www.baylor.edu/rotc/llc for more information.
Please understand that I’m not a recruiter. I just want to make you aware of this enormous opportunity and if possible, discuss the details with any of your students or parents who may be interested or just curious. I’d enjoy the opportunity to help any of your students get to Baylor and be a part of our family. If they would like to come for a visit, we have a “Bunk with a Bear” program where your students can spend the night with a cadet, attend classes, eat with them, meet other cadets, take the campus tour, talk to academic advisors, and get the feel of Baylor. If you would like additional brochures or fact sheets, let me know and I’ll send them your way. Click Here to email Lt. Col. Penson. Your students and parents can call me at 254-710-3513. If I can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to do the same!
Sic’em Bears!!!
Lt Col Randy Penson
Baylor AFROTC
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Special Ticket Pricing for Homeschoolers: The Nutcracker at Bass Hall!
Enjoy the Nutcracker Ballet this Christmas, and save on the best seats!
HEART of Texas and PEACH (Plano Educators Association of Christan Homeschoolers) have partnered together with Bass Hall to offer a special discount rate for Nutcracker Ballet tickets.
The Bass Hall is offering us their best available seats! But, we need to get the word out right away....the sooner we get our registration and payments turned in, the better the seats!
DECEMBER 12 -- Special Homeschool Night at the Nutcracker Ballet
Time: 8pm
Cost: $20/seat (best available seats at the time we register)